Broadband in Harnett County

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program provides households with a discount of up to $50 a month off of a household's internet bill. That increases to $75 a month for those living on tribal lands. Eligible households can also get a one-time discount of $100 toward the purchase of a laptop, tablet or desktop computer through participating providers.

The program’s enrollment begins on May 12 for qualifying households. A household qualifies if the household’s income is at or less than 135 percent of federal poverty guidelines. A household can also qualify if at least one member:

• Participates in a federal benefits program, such as Medicaid, SNAP, or Lifeline
• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program,
• Lost a job or a significant amount of income in the past year,
• Received a Federal Pell Grant, or
• Is part of an internet service provider’s low-income or COVID-19 program.

North Carolina Counties are valuable partners to the Broadband Infrastructure Office and provide a great opportunity to reach out to the important stakeholders who need this information the most. So, we are asking you to help spread the word to your community and encourage their participation.

For more information, visit www.getemergencybroadband.org. 

VIEW HANDOUT

Broadband Survey

In November 2018, Harnett County launched a broadband survey that encouraged citizens to provide feedback on their current broadband capabilities. The County partnered with ECC Technologies, Inc. to conduct the online broadband assessment survey to determine the residences and businesses within the County who continue to struggle with limited access to Internet services, with a particular focus on broadband availability.

Harnett County worked with local libraries and the County school district to ask citizens and businesses to participate in this broadband assessment.
This assessment was created to:

• verify availability of current broadband services in the County,
• to identify actual speeds available through the speed test, and
• collect information on demand for services from residents and businesses across these counties.

Over 1,600 responses were received during the survey period with roughly 90% of responses marked as “complete” by the surveying tool. Only 10% were marked “partial,” indicating the respondent abandoned the survey at some point. Data collected in this survey provided valuable information to Harnett County in their efforts to work towards broadband and economic development planning. Citizens can view the results from the assessment by clicking the link below. 

VIEW BROADBAND ASSESSMENT REPORT

Harnett County Commissioners are working with State Legislatures to gain broadband services in the County. The County acknowledges the need for citizens and buisinesses to have access to broadband and are exploring options such as: applying for grant funding, meeting with broadband providers, and developing partnerships to help move the County forward. 

Last-Mile Broadband RFP

Harnett County is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify potential partnerships with qualified existing or new broadband providers and other interested organizations to support the development of high-speed broadband infrastructure and services within all areas of the county. This RFP is being released with the intent of generating interest from various entities wishing to use the County’s assets, to develop and implement new broadband services or enhance existing services, and who are willing to enter into a partnership with Harnett County to meet these objectives.

Potential customers include over 135,000 Harnett County residents in over 45,000 households as well as existing and future businesses, public institutions, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities that Harnett County NC Broadband Initiative Request for Proposals 4 exist within the County territory. The County is seeking network solutions and business models that are innovative and which prepare the region for future technological innovations while serving today’s needs for higher speeds, more complete coverage, and a wider range of choices for consumers.

This RFP is focused specifically on last-mile partners. Currently, Spectrum serves certain areas of the county, while CenturyLink and Windstream are incumbent telephone providers. Currently there is very limited fixed wireless and fiber to the home based-services available in the County. Current providers are encouraged to consider this request, as well as new providers. It is anticipated that both fiber-based and fixed wireless-based solutions will be presented in the RFP responses and both will be considered. The MCNC statewide Open Access fiber backbone is routed through the northern tip of the County. The MCNC network offers connections to metro areas around the state. Interconnection to fiber, owned by others in the region including the MCNC fiber network, would require a separate agreement with those entities.

The deadline to submit a proposal is 12pm on August 18, 2020. 

View Last-Mile Broadband RFP